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It is six years to the day that One Tree Hill lost its namesake, and while a group of trees have been put aside as possible replacement options, a treaty settlement is holding up the process.
In 2000, the iconic Monteray pine that stood against the Auckland skyline was removed after two attempts by treaty protesters to chop it down eventually made it unsafe.
The 125-year-old pine was planted by one of Auckland's founding fathers Sir John Logan Campbell.
He also commissioned a monument to Maori which stands at the summit.
Historian Michael King said the monument was a sign of respect and regret on the part of Pakeha to "smooth the pillow of a dying race".
At the time the Maori population had taken huge hits from both war and disease and it was widely believed that the people and culture were headed for extinction.
Since the pine was removed six years ago the Auckland City Council has nurtured a grove of Pohutukawa and Totara seedlings as possible future One Tree Hill candidates.
But Ngati Whatua has requested that the planting ceremony be postponed until it has settled its treaty claims. The claims include the future of One Tree Hill, also known as Maungakiekie.
"If I could wave my magic wand tomorrow and put a tree up there then I could probably be elected as mayor of Auckland for life. But the reality is that we have to respect the decision of Ngati Whatua," says Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard.
It is hoped a new tree may be able to put its roots down next
year.
